Project Use Type: Specialized Outpatient / Clinical Office
Client: Novant Health
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Property Size: 10 acres
Building Square Footage: 75,000 SF
Services Provided:
– Civil Engineering Design
– Infrastructure Planning Services
– Jurisdictional Permitting Coordination
– Utility Verification Analysis
– Stormwater Hydrology Analysis
– ADA-Compliant Route Design
Unique Solution:
Engineered a resilient as-built elevation plan that features a specialized flood crawl space with dual-purpose access doors to safeguard the facility against $200K+ financial risks associated with coastal tidal floodplains.
Case Study: Elevating Care: Resilient Infrastructure for Coastal Medical Excellence
Context & Services
For the East Cooper Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant, SC, our team served as the specialized infrastructure partner for Freese Johnson. Tasked with delivering a 75,000 SF clinical hub within a high-stakes tidal floodplain, we provided comprehensive civil engineering, infrastructure planning, and jurisdictional permitting. Our scope encompassed critical utility verifications, stormwater hydrology analysis, and ADA-compliant route design to ensure seamless access for patients with mobility challenges.
The Unique Solution
Developing on a 10-acre parcel nestled within a marsh environment presented significant flood risks. To address the anxiety of potential flood-induced downtime, we moved beyond a standard transaction to act as a true advocate for the facility’s long-term viability. To do this, our engineering strategy centered on a resilient “As-Built” elevation plan: raising the level of the main floor well above the tidal floodplain.
We integrated a specialized flood crawl space equipped with dual-purpose access doors that serve as flood-proof seals during surge events. By meticulously coordinating MEP integration and grading requirements, we ensured that even during extreme tidal situations, the facility remains a safe, operational shelter for healthcare providers and their patients.
Success & Impact
The result is a future-proofed medical landmark that safeguards a $200K+ per-error financial risk associated with coastal utility mapping. The community now benefits from uninterrupted access to 15+ medical specialties and the peace of mind of knowing their local healthcare center is engineered to withstand the rising tides.
